Leak-stopper for holds of vessels



(No Model.)

Patented Jan. 8, 1889.

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F F ICE PLATT l3. VIELE, OF ROCHESTER, NEIV YORK.

LEAK-STO PPER FOR HOLDS OF VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part. of Letters Patent No. 396,016, dated January 8, 1889. hpplication filed April 10, 1886. Renewed June-14,1838. Serial No. 277,091- (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, PLATT B. YIELE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Leak-Stoppers for llolds of Vessels, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved means for applying a leak-stopper to the outer side of a ship to stop holes or leaks in the hold of the vessel.

The invention will be first described, and then pointed out in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1. shows my improved lea lcstopper applied over the side of a vessel. Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the same. Fig. 3 represents the leak-stopper shaped to cover a space on each side of the bow. Fig. 1 is a view of the innerside of one of the flexible leak-stoppers, illustrating one mode of constructing the stopper-supporting frame.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates a frame of rectangular or other suitable form for supporting a covering, 2, of leather, canvas, rubber, or other flexible or elastic material.

The frame 1 may consist. of metallic rods or strips or of wooden bars having sufficient strength and weight. I prefer, however, to make the frame of flat steel strips so arranged that when the frame is covered and applied the flat sides of the steel strips will by their flexibility more readily conform to the contour of the vessel. The flexible covering 2 is securely attached to the frame 1 by any suitable means, and is preferably somewhat larger than the frame, so as to be capable of becoming closely applied to and over a hole in the side of a vessel under the pressure of the water.

To the upper end of the frame 1, at the center or at or near each corner, is attached a suspension-rod or handle, 3, by which the frame and its covering can be lowered over the side of the vessel and brought opposite the leak or hole to be stopped. The handle or handles 3 can be made in sections suitably connected, if necessary.

On each side of the frame 1 is a loop or eye,

i, for attachment of guys 5, that can be so arranged as to facilitate the proper location of the leak-stopper and assist in securing it in place.

For the purpose of holding the frame and its covering securely in place, I attach a number of staples or rings, 0, to the inner side of the flexible covering, so that there may be an inner fastening made through the hole, thus keeping the stopper more securely in place than by the outer fastenings alone. The inner fastenings may consist of ropes 7, passed through the loops, rings, or staples 6 and-secured, as shown in Fig. 2, or otherwise in any convenient manner.

It will be seen that in the event of an accident by which a hole is stove in the side of a vessel the frame 1, with its attached flexible covering 2, can be lowered over the side and speedily secured in place to stop the leak. By

this means the vessel can be temporarily patched until it becomes convenient to properly repair the injury, or the vessel can be kept afloat a sutiicient length of time to facilitate the escape of passengers and crew.

Vessels can be supplied with different sizes of these leak-stoppers, or the rods for making the frames 1 can be provided in various lengths to enable a frame of any size to be quickly constructed. The frames and the coverings, being made detachable, can easily be disconnected and stowed away unt il, required for use.

For the bow of the vessel a frame and its covering can be bent, as shown in Fig. 3, so as to cover a space on each side of the bow. \Vhen the hole in the vessel is above the waterline, or when the water-pressure is not sufficient to hold the leak-stopper firmly against; the vessel, ropes or guys may run from the frame 1 under the vessel and be fastened on the opposite side. This may be particularly desirable when there is a rough sea.

I prefer to make the frames 1 of flat material, with perforations S at equal distances and a few inches apart, so that the frames can be put together in any desired shape to meet the emergency. These same perforations can be used in fastening the covering 2 to the frame, and also for attachment of the guys 5 and inner fastenings, 7, when the latter are used.

\Vith this device the same material as the frames can be used for handles for the frame by being bolted thereto. \\'here the frames are made large, they can be strengthened by having cross-bars .l to keep them in proper shape.

liy providing the frame-bars l and 9 with perforations S, disposed at regular intervals, it is obvious that said bars can be connected at various points by means of bolts passed,

through said perforations, so as to vary the 1 size of the stopper-supporting frame as re 1 quired. quickly put together without requiring" the employment of very long bars, thus enal'lling the parts of the lez'ik-stopper to be easily and compactly stowed away when disconnected.

*hat I claim as my invention Frames of various sizes can thus be l on the inner side of its covering, sul stantially 1. A 1eak-stopper for vessels, composed of a frame of detachable and flexible fiat steel bars or strips that ivill conform to the shape of the vessel and a flexible covering secured to said frame, substantially as described.

as described.

In testimony whereof latlix nrvsignature in presence of two witnesses.

lllA'l 'l l1. VTETAE.

\Vitnesses: 

